OKC Thunder broadcast gets another shakeup as Antonio Daniels leaves to join Pels

Yet again, the OKC Thunder TV broadcasts will have a new look, and a new voice heading into the 2019-20 season.

At this time last year, the OKC Thunder had canned Brian Davis as the teams play by play man, he served in that role during the teams entire stint in OKC before being ousted in favor of Chris Fisher this past season.

Earlier this offseason, we found out OKC Thunder sideline reporter Lesley McCaslin would be leaving the Fox Sports Oklahoma broadcasts, and the void left by her will be picked up by Nick Gallo who did his fair share of sideline reporting throughout the season and handles a lot of the digital media aspects for the team.

Everyone, for the most part, loved Brian Davis’ catchphrase. “He made chicken salad out of chicken something else!” is something I myself exclaim when broadcasting high school football play by play.

And everyone also loves Lesley McCaslin, her great interviews led to amazing content for the OKC Thunder fanbase.

While those losses were sad, none will hurt like the loss of Antonio Daniels who will now join the Pelicans broadcast as the lead color analyst for the new look Pelicans.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Daniels, spent the bulk of his time with the OKC Thunder on Fox Sports Oklahoma pre-and-post-game coverage “Thunder Live!” Daniels also made a few spot starts on “Mavericks live!” and “Pelicans live!” bouncing around the regional sports networks to lend a hand. But Oklahoma City was his home.

The AD news stings more than the others. While Davis had the catchphrases, and Lesley the classic interviews, Daniels felt like one of us. He felt like a fan.

He was not a button up broadcaster, a cookie cutter former NBA player there to collect a check. Daniels put in the work, and his reactions during the postgame show matched the highs of OKC Thunder fans after an inspired win, and the lows of fans after a crushing loss.

Daniels was prepared, knowledgable, and entertaining. He will continue to be, and round into one of the best color analysts in the league.

For now, the OKC Thunder crew will be headed by Chris Fisher, Micheal Cage, and Nick Gallo. Fox Sports Oklahoma will likely add an additional sideline reporter, and will now have to fill the pre and post game host position.